The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1887-05-19

Wncu ne SuOulu US TcCOSulZeu as u
leader, constituted her only pleasure;
and now, to be robbed of it, brought a
fresh flow of tears.
THAR, now, mother, don't cry. It's
better ter be miserable with some little
sense than ter be a fool an be happy"
"But, my son." said the old woman,
endeavoring to be calm, '.you amt told
me what has brought about this terri
BILE changer"
mo, an 1 reckon I'd better keep it
ter myself. It KANT be he'ped-thar
amt no earthly cure for it"
.But you mout tell yore pore ole
mother"
"Thar. now, don't cry. No, I don't
want ter go in thar"
She had made a motion as though
she would draw him into the dark room.
II don't want to go into dar no more.
It's dark enough out here for me now"
Don't speak slightin' O. that room,
my chile. Yore father died in thar"
'Yes, I know that, an 1 b'leve I'd
die if I wuz to go in thar now. KANT
he'p-you must furgive me-but 1
KANT hep but think o. that as my fool
| room."
"W'y, Zanby!"
81 know I oughtent ter say it,
mother, but I KANT hep but think O.
it that way. 1t was in thar Ifust heard
O. my comm greatness. You would
| go in thar by yourself ter mourn but
tuck me in thar to make me feel proud
O. myself, an long time ago, when
we'd set in thar, I'd think it wuz a
blessed privilege to be a cripple. Yes,
mother, that is my fool ROOM"
She stood in the back yard and
looked after him when he walked
down the : branch, deeply troubled.
| When he came home at evening, his
mother, hoping that he had repented of
what he said, took him by tho hand
and gently attempted to draw him into
the dark room.
81 will not 60 in the fool room," he
said rather harshly, but quickly putting
his withered arm around her neck, he
softly added: "Mother, you must not
ask me ter go in thar"
"Jes' one more time, fur I feel like
the spirit O. yore father is thar"
He hesitated a moment longer, and
then suffered her to lead him into the
room. When they came out he was
laughing.
"You shall have hundreds O. fine
dresses when I make laws" he said.
"You shaint do no work, an we'll ride
in a fine carriage"
He put his sound arm around her
neck, drew her to him and kissed her.
Eyes, an we'll be so happy then,
| won't we, son."
"Yessum, an We'll eat pie"
yes"
"An' put a whole lot o. jam on wheat
bread"
EYES," she said.
"An' we'll give all the con bread ter
the hogs" he continued. .'Oh, femme
tell you," he delightedly exclaimed,
again drawing her to him with his
sound arm, ..I'm goin' ter git you one
o. these here pretty striped dresses"
eyes, SON."
can I won't have no patched
britches, neither"
..No."
"But will dress fne."
"Yes."
When he had gone to sleep, she gath
cred him into her arms and let her
heart throb against him.
The next morning he got up laugh
| fnOr ond rrhan che cfooI ~ tho 10or,
watching him as he walked away. he
turned around and joyously waved his
hand at her. He did not return until
late in the evening. She sprang toward
him. He put out his withered arm.
She gazed at him a moment, and then
taking his hand, attempted to lead him.
He drew back with a shudder.
81 will not go into the fool room"
he said. "You needn't beg me,
mother. I swear that I hope to die if
ever go in there again"
..My son, what is the matter with
your"
.Tm no longer q fool that's all.
You shut my eyes last night, but they
air open now"
"What has opened them?"
"You shut them"
"But who opened them?"
Without replying, he went into his
own room and shut the door. The nexi
day she attempted to follow him, but
he drove her back. Shortly after he
had gone, a ncighbor, an old woman
came over and asked if Zanby were
home.
"Whut makes you askp"
Didn't know, but he-wall, The
truth is, he is nearly dyin' about her.
"Who?" the old woman gasped.
"Miss Reynolds"
Zanby's mother sank down with
groan. 81 reckon you must have SEED
her," the neighbor continued. ever
body do low that she's the peartest ant
puttiest creetur hat ever come 'rount
here. They say that Zanby is nearl,
dead about her. Pity, fur she's dun
engaged ter a jedge. Wy Zanby ain
seed her but a few times, an 1 dom
reckon she ever seed him a tall, Il
know him. Well, 1 must run back"
Zanby stood behind a tree, gazing a
a beautiful girl, dressed in white. Sh'
was gathering flowers. Zanby slippe'
from behind the tree and %approache,
her. There's that poor little crippl
again." she unused. He took off his hat
Good morning." said the youn|
lady.
In attempting to bow he leaned owe
too far and fell.
"Poor little fellowr' she exclaimed
running to him. He scrambled to hi
feet and gazed at her.
do you love fowers?" she asked
not knowing what else to say.
II love n flower" he replied.
"Only one? Why, 1 love them all
Which one do you love?"
GIYoub